It is important to invest in your health and be aware of the latest developments and treatments available. In a recent study it has been highlighted that taking Statins, according to American researchers, could cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

A study, conducted at Boston University, concluded that cholesterol-lowering statins could make patients up to 79 per cent less likely to develop the illness.

It has been previously suggested that poor blood flow and cardiovascular changes in the brain are some of the causes of Alzheimer’s. It is now thought that statins – taken daily by around three million Britons – may help to prevent such changes.

The study’s lead author, Doctor Gail Li, from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, told The Times newspaper (Tuesday August 28^th 2007) the study was the first to compare the brains of people who had been taking statins with those who had not.

The research, which has been conducted since 2002, included examining the brains of 110 Americans who had died between the ages of 65 and 79 and had donated their organs for research.

Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is not yet fully known, two of the main indications of the disease are changes in the brain known as brain ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. These are protein deposits that appear to spread around the brain.

The researchers found that even when allowing for variables such as gender and past health, people who had taken statins had significantly less tangles in the brain than those who had not.

Eric Larson, a co-author of the study, told The Times: “These results are exciting, novel and have important implications for prevention strategies.” However, he did suggest further studies were needed to confirm the findings.

Dr Li said: “Statins are probably more likely to help prevent the disease in certain kinds of people than others. Some day we may be able to know more precisely which individuals will benefit from which types of statins”, as reported in The Times.

In January 2006, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance to the NHS in England and Wales about the use of Statins, such as fluvastatin and pravastatin, to prevent cardiovascular disease and to treat existing sufferers.

It suggested that statins should be prescribed to patients who have an estimated 20 per cent or greater risk of developing heart disease within the next ten years. A review of the guidance is expected in November 2008.

Other studies have shown negative effects of the drugs. In July, researchers in Massachusetts found slightly increased risks of cancer in statin users. The drug lowers levels of lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and this has been linked to an increased possibility of cancer.

The drugs can also trigger muscle weakness, which could lead to a complete breakdown of muscle cells (known as rhabdomyolysis) which can cause kidney failure and death.